Anytime he saw you he would light up and greet you with a huge smile, -- Grandville High School junior Morgan Carter

GRANDVILLE, MI -- If there was a movie based on Ryan Fischer’s life, the fallen Grandville High School student would have titled it, “Ryan Fischer, Defender of America.”

“That title really just popped out to me because I really love America,” Ryan, 17, said in a video clip filmed earlier this year for Homecoming. “I’m a big patriot – that’s the biggest reason for me.”

Ryan’s family, including his parents, Roni and Scott Fischer, were among the nearly 300 people who gathered at Celebration Cinema at RiverTown Crossings Mall on Friday, April 18, for a special viewing of “Captain America-The Winter Soldier” in honor of Ryan and his respect for America’s heroes.

A portion of ticket sales and other items, including rubber red, white and blue bracelets adorned with “Live like Ryan, leave a legacy” and “Jeremiah 1:19” went to the Ryan Fischer Legacy Scholarship Fund. Attendees raised more than $2,300 for the fund, which is set up for students who exemplify all that Ryan embodied: Love for God, country, family, friends and teammates.

Ryan Fischer - Homecoming Court interview Fallen Grandville High School hockey player Ryan Fischer talks about his patriotic spirit during a movie clip filmed by the school's audio/visual class for Homecoming spirit week earlier this year. The clip was shown at a fundraiser for the Ryan Fischer Memorial Scholarship Fund at Celebration Cinema on Friday, April 18.

“This event was a great example of the supportive community that we live in,” said Betsy Artz, general manager at Celebration Cinema at RiverTown.
“This was a great opportunity for everyone to come together and take one more step in the healing process.”

Before the movie began, attendees watched a video clip of Ryan - dressed in a maroon Grandville High School football jersey – that had been filmed by the school’s audio/visual class for spirit week. It was part of a set of interviews with students who were on this year’s Homecoming court.

“It was cool to see that smile,” said Ryan’s friend, Morgan Carter, who organized the fundraiser with her mom. “It’s been a month and a half without him. Seeing his movements and hearing his voice was pretty cool.”

Ryan died from an enlarged heart on March 7 -- the same day he was to lead his Grandville High School hockey teammates in the state Division 1 semifinals in Plymouth. The high school senior was a three-year standout in hockey, letter winner in football and baseball, and had been accepted by the U.S. Naval Academy and West Point. Ryan was to start at West Point in July.

“Anytime he saw you, he would light up and greet you with a huge smile,” said Morgan, 17. “Walking past where I would see him smiling in the hall – that’s hard. Now when I’m walking down that hallway, you don’t get Ryan's smile.”

Morgan, who had been close friends with Ryan for the past few years, said Friday’s fundraiser was a night to celebrate Ryan and his red, white and blue comic book hero: Captain America.

Many dressed in Captain America-themed costumes and T-shirts, while others showed off their patriotic or Bulldog Nation spirit. Some wore Grandville jerseys or T-shirts with “Fischer” and his hockey number, 11, written on the back.

All wore a smile.

“It was really cool to see all of these people there to support him and his family,” Morgan said. “Ryan would have loved it.”

“Miss you, Ryan” and “never forgotten” were among the many messages written on a Captain America movie poster at the fundraiser.

A message on the star of the comic book hero’s red, white and blue shield reads: “Love you Fish,” referring to Ryan’s nickname.

“We miss him and we miss seeing his smile and hearing his laugh,” Morgan said. “He’ll forever be remembered by me and a lot of people.”